I hope you enjoyed to play with minimal configuration of the computer. Now lets see how it can be launched in full configuration. “UT-88” computer supposed to be build step by step, starting with minimal configuration and then adding additional blocks to extend its functionality. That’s why it is a bit complicated to use. After[…]

In the previous post we learned how to launch the computer in the minimal configuration. Now lets see how it works in details. MONITOR-0 which is responsible for the computer work in the minimal configuration is allocated in the ROM in the range 0000H-03FFH. To launch it we just need to reset the computer by “RESET” button (KEY[0][…]

To build “UT-88” replica I created an extension board for DE1. I’ve added six 7-segments indicators and 16-keys keypad on it almost like original “UT-88” in minimal configuration had. The board should be connected to GPIO_1 extention header of DE1 to avoid changes in the project. Just in case, I’ve added tape in/out, buzzer and[…]

So, what FPGA is? According to Wikipedia “a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is an integrated circuit designed to be configured by the customer or designer after manufacturing—hence “field-programmable”.”. The FPGA contains a whole lot of logic gates that can be configurable by customers in any way they like. It means that we can create our[…]

I would like to start my blog with this computer. I’m going to make a replica of this computer using FPGA. But lets start from its history first. UT-88 is a hobbyist 8-bit computer that was build on CPU KR580VM80A which is a Soviet analog of a popular Intel 8080. Schematics and a detailed description[…]